FLEXIBLE MOTOR VEHICLE WORK SURFACE FOR LAPTOPS AND TABLETS
A flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and includes a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof and defining an arcuate travel path. A movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the integrated guide member and deployable support structure and has a first stored position and a second deployed position.
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The present invention generally relates to a flexible vehicle work surface for laptops and tablets, and more particularly, a center seating position that may be converted to an adaptable work surface that pivots toward the driver or passenger about an integrated pivot point using an arcuate travel path.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONModern motor vehicle interiors are incorporating more and sophisticated comfort-related features as designers improve their understanding of human ergonomics, posture, and comfortability. For example, motor vehicles now include features in the motor vehicle seating assembly that can provide the driver and passengers with improved comfort and increased endurance for extensive vehicle rides. Automotive customers and occupants are also looking for more uses for the limited number of surfaces available in the automotive environment to make life and work easier within the environment of the motor vehicle occupant compartment. Such individuals need flexible surfaces that meet with their mobility and connectivity needs, as well as also maximizing other features and functions in the proximity of the motor vehicle seating positions. Previous designs focused on fixed solutions that were not adept at providing mobility solutions for using current technology in the vehicle for work-place or personal needs. Additionally, these solutions largely failed to provide flexibility to both front and rear seat occupants to use these surfaces for their needs. An improved work surface to maximize fulfillment of the needs of the automotive occupants, particularly a work surface that readily adapts to variety of applications, was desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and includes a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof and defining an arcuate travel path. A movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the integrated guide member and deployable support structure and has a first stored position and a second deployed position.
Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
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- An integrated guide member further comprises an integrated pivot point movable within the arcuate recess and pivotable relative the deployable support structure;
- the arcuate recess has a first end and a second end, wherein the portable motor vehicle work surface further comprises a damper mechanism disposed at one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess;
- the damper mechanism comprises a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member at the one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess;
- the arcuate recess further comprises a damper mechanism disposed at each of the first end of the arcuate recess and the second end of the arcuate recess, each of damper mechanisms comprising a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member at the each of the first end of the arcuate recess and the second end of the arcuate recess;
- the motor vehicle seating assembly further comprises a driver side seating position and a passenger side seating position, and the movable horizontal surface pivots toward one of the driver or passenger side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position;
- the movable horizontal surface pivots toward the driver side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position;
- an opposing pair of integrated guide members each movable within one of a pair of arcuate recesses disposed on an upper surface of the deployable support structure, and a pair of movable horizontal surfaces each having a first stored position and a second deployed position and each operably coupled with a one of the pair of the integrated guide members;
- each of the pair of integrated guide member further comprises an integrated pivot point movable within the arcuate recesses;
- one of the pair of the movable horizontal surfaces pivots toward the driver side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position and the other of the pair of the movable horizontal surfaces pivots toward the passenger side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position;
- the center seating position comprising a substantially horizontal lower seat and a substantially vertical seatback assembly, and wherein the deployable support structure further has a first substantially vertical orientation defining the substantially vertical seatback assembly for the center seating position and a second substantially horizontal orientation defining a substantially horizontal structure upon which the movable horizontal surface is supported;
- the center seating position comprises about 20% of the overall motor vehicle seating assembly;
- the center seating position includes seat-integrated occupant protection restraints;
- the deployable support structure further comprises a rear hinge assembly about which the deployable support structure may be folded to the forward substantially horizontal orientation;
- a forward hinge assembly about which the substantially horizontal lower seat may be pivoted between a closed orientation and an open orientation and a storage compartment disposed below the substantially horizontal lower seat when the substantially horizontal lower seat is in the closed orientation;
- the deployable support structure having a forward portion and a rearward portion and the movable horizontal surface being operably coupled with the forward portion of the deployable support structure;
- the rearward portion of the deployable support structure comprises a storage compartment having lid having an open position and a closed position, wherein the movable horizontal surface and the lid form a substantially continuous horizontal surface with the movable horizontal surface when the lid is in the closed position;
- a pair of first and second integrated guide members each movable within one of a pair of first arcuate recess and a second linear recess, respectively, disposed on an upper surface thereof when the deployable support structure is in the second substantially horizontal orientation, and the movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with each of the first and second integrated guide members, wherein each of the pair of first and second integrated guide members further comprises an integrated pivot point movable within the first arcuate recess and the second linear recess, respectively; and
- the movable horizontal surface pivots toward the driver side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position.
According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and comprises a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof, the integrated guide member further comprising an integrated pivot point movable within the arcuate recess to define an arcuate travel path, the arcuate recess further comprising a first end and a second end, and a damper mechanism disposed at one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess, the damper mechanism comprising a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member at the one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess. A movable horizontal surface operably coupled with the integrated guide member deployable support structure, the movable horizontal surface having a first stored position and a second deployed position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure a flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly comprising a driver side seating position, a passenger side seating position, and a center seating position disposed between the driver side seating position and the passenger side seating position. The center seating position comprises a lower seat and a seatback, wherein the seatback is defined by a deployable support structure further having a first substantially vertical orientation and a second substantially horizontal orientation defining a substantially horizontal structure. The deployable support structure further comprises a first integrated guide member movable within an first arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof when the deployable support structure is in the second substantially horizontal orientation and a second integrated guide member movable within a second recess disposed on an upper surface thereof when the deployable support structure is in the second substantially horizontal orientation. A movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the integrated guide member deployable support structure, the movable horizontal surface having a first stored position and a second deployed position.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Referring to
As noted further herein, various embodiments of the present disclosure are presented, where common or similar structures are identified with the same reference numerical for ease of presentation and comprehension. The various embodiments of the present disclosure include multiple variants on the center seating position 22, each of which preferably includes a seat-integrated restraint system 24 having a tongue 26 and buckle 28 connector assemblies, as is known, for use when the center seating position 22 is occupied by a motor vehicle occupant. Further, each of the embodiments described herein is intended to include an integrated cupholder assembly 30 mounted on the upper portion of the seatback assembly 14 of the center seating position 22, which also includes a head restraint 32 on an opposite side thereof for the center seating position 22. The center seating position 22 head restraints 32 may be removed, along with the cupholder assembly 30, and may be moved around the motor vehicle occupant compartment 34 and assembled into an armature holder to allow ease of movement of the cupholder assembly 30. In addition, with the seatback assembly 14 in a forward stowed position, as shown in
As shown in
A first embodiment of the flexible motor vehicle work surface 50 includes a deployable support structure 52 operably coupled with the mounting base 36 of the motor vehicle seating assembly 10 and a movable horizontal surface 54 operably coupled with the deployable support structure 52. Preferably, all of the mounting base 36, the deployable support structure 52, and the movable horizontal surface 54 are fabricated from an injection molded polymer. The deployable support structure 52 has a first substantially vertical orientation defining the substantially vertical seatback assembly 14 for the center seating position 22 and a second substantially horizontal orientation defining a substantially horizontal structure upon which the movable horizontal surface 54 is supported. The deployable support structure 52 further includes a rear pivot assembly 56 about which the deployable support structure 52 may be folded between the first substantially vertical orientation and the second substantially horizontal orientation. A latch mechanism (not shown) may be employed, if desired, to fix the deployable support structure 52 in either of the first substantially vertical orientation or the second substantially horizontal orientation. When the substantially horizontal lower seat 38 is in the closed orientation, the substantially horizontal lower seat 38 supports the deployable support structure 52 when the deployable support structure 52 is folded to the forward substantially horizontal orientation, as shown in
As shown in
The movable horizontal surface 54 preferably has a first stored position and a second deployed position, as shown in
When either of the movable horizontal surfaces 54 is manually manipulated from the first stored position to the second deployed position, the movable horizontal surface 54 may be pivoted toward one of the driver or passenger side seating position 16, 20, respectively, about the aforementioned arcuate path. When so manipulated, the movable horizontal surfaces 54 provide an increased and improved work surface upon which the motor vehicle occupants may support various items, such as laptop computers, tablets, and paperwork.
In any of the embodiments contained herein, it should be noted that the movable horizontal surface 54 may employ a locking feature (not shown) to allow the movable horizontal surface 54 to be restrained in either of the first stored position or the second deployed position, such as a detent or a lock and striker mechanism, as is known.
As shown in
The rearward portion 80 of the deployable support structure 52 further preferably includes a storage compartment 82 disposed at a rearward portion thereof, as shown in
As shown in
A further embodiment is disclosed in
The Y-shaped slot 110 is preferably provided with a pair of forward ends 112 and a rearward end 114. The deployable support structure 52 further comprises a damper mechanism 78 preferably disposed at one of the pair of forward ends 112 of the Y-shaped slot 110 and the rearward end 114 of the Y-shaped slot 110, wherein the damper mechanism 78 comprises a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member 58 at the one of the pair of forward ends 112 of the Y-shaped slot 110 or the rearward end 114 of the Y-shaped slot 110. As in the previous embodiments and as shown in
As shown in
Further, the deployable support structure 52 may also include a pivotal base 122 having a forward portion 124 and a rearward portion 126, whereby the movable horizontal surface 54 is operably coupled with the Y-shaped slot 110, which is preferably disposed on the forward portion 124 of the pivotal base 122 of the deployable support structure 52. A forward storage compartment 128 may be disposed below and forward of the forward portion 124 of the pivotal base 122 of the deployable support structure 52, within which relatively large items may be stored. When the movable horizontal surface 54 is in the first stored position, access to the forward storage compartment 128 may be directly obtained. Conversely, when the movable horizontal surface 54 is in any of the plurality of the deployed positions, access to the forward storage compartment 128 is not available, unless the pivotal base 122 is pivoted to a raised position. Preferably, when the movable horizontal surface 54 is in one or more of the plurality of deployed second positions, a cutout 130 in a forward edge 132 of the closure lid 116 allows the closure lid 116 to be moved to the closed position to form a substantially continuous horizontal surface with the movable horizontal structure.
An additional embodiment is disclosed in
Preferably, each of the pair of foldable wings 140, 142 has an exposed upper surface 148 that forms the substantially continuous surface with the exposed upper surface 150 of the deployable support structure 52 when in the first stored position. In addition, each of the pair of foldable wings 140, 142 preferably has an exposed lower surface 152 that forms a substantially continuous surface with the exposed upper surface 150 of the deployable support structure 52 when in the second deployed position.
Such configuration is obtained by preferably providing each of the pair of foldable wings 140, 142 with an outer perimeter 154 and an inner perimeter 156 defining a central opening 158. Further, the stationary base 144 of the deployable support structure 52 is preferably provided with a raised portion 160 having an outer perimeter 162 fittingly received within the inner perimeter 156 of the foldable wings 140, 142 when the foldable wings 140, 142 are in the first stored position. As a further feature of the present embodiment, the upper surface 164 of the raised portion 160 on the stationary base 144 of the deployable support structure 52 may form a first openable lid 166 and a second openable lid 168, each of the first and second openable lids 166, 168 having a closed position above a storage compartment 170 and an open position providing access to the storage compartment 170, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
An additional embodiment is shown in
As shown in
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “operably coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “connected” or “operably connected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A flexible motor vehicle work surface operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof and defining an arcuate travel path; and
- a movable horizontal surface operably coupled with the integrated guide member and deployable support structure, the movable horizontal surface having a first stored position and a second deployed position.
2. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 1, wherein the integrated guide member further comprises an integrated pivot point movable within the arcuate recess and pivotable relative the deployable support structure.
3. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 1, wherein the arcuate recess has a first end and a second end, and wherein the portable motor vehicle work surface further comprises a damper mechanism disposed at one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess.
4. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 3, wherein the damper mechanism comprises a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member at the one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess.
5. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 3, wherein the arcuate recess further comprises a damper mechanism disposed at each of the first end of the arcuate recess and the second end of the arcuate recess, each of damper mechanisms comprising a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member at the each of the first end of the arcuate recess and the second end of the arcuate recess.
6. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle seating assembly further comprises a driver side seating position and a passenger side seating position, and the movable horizontal surface pivots toward one of the driver or passenger side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position.
7. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 6, wherein the movable horizontal surface pivots toward the driver side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position.
8. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 1, further comprising an opposing pair of integrated guide members each movable within one of a pair of arcuate recesses disposed on an upper surface of the deployable support structure; and
- a pair of movable horizontal surfaces each having a first stored position and a second deployed position and each operably coupled with a one of the pair of the integrated guide members;
- wherein each of the pair of integrated guide member further comprises an integrated pivot point movable within the arcuate recesses.
9. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 8, wherein the motor vehicle seating assembly further comprises a driver side seating position and a passenger side seating position, and wherein a one of the pair of the movable horizontal surfaces pivots toward the driver side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position and the other of the pair of the movable horizontal surfaces pivots toward the passenger side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position.
10. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle seating assembly further comprises a driver side seating position, a passenger side seating position, and a center seating position disposed between the driver side seating position and the passenger side seating position,
- the center seating position comprising a substantially horizontal lower seat and a substantially vertical seatback assembly, and wherein the deployable support structure further has a first substantially vertical orientation defining the substantially vertical seatback assembly for the center seating position and a second substantially horizontal orientation defining a substantially horizontal structure upon which the movable horizontal surface is supported.
11. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 10, wherein the center seating position comprises about 20% of the overall motor vehicle seating assembly.
12. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 10, wherein the center seating position includes seat-integrated occupant protection restraints.
13. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 10, wherein the deployable support structure further comprises a rear hinge assembly about which the deployable support structure may be folded to the forward substantially horizontal orientation.
14. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 10, wherein the substantially horizontal lower seat of the motor vehicle seating assembly further comprises a forward hinge assembly about which the substantially horizontal lower seat may be pivoted between a closed orientation and an open orientation and a storage compartment disposed below the substantially horizontal lower seat when the substantially horizontal lower seat is in the closed orientation.
15. A flexible motor vehicle work surface operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof, the integrated guide member further comprising an integrated pivot point movable within the arcuate recess to define an arcuate travel path, the arcuate recess further comprising a first end and a second end, and a damper mechanism disposed at one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess, the damper mechanism comprising a resilient member that engages the integrated guide member at the one of the first end of the arcuate recess or the second end of the arcuate recess; and
- a movable horizontal surface operably coupled with the integrated guide member deployable support structure, the movable horizontal surface having a first stored position and a second deployed position.
16. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 15, wherein the deployable support structure has a forward portion and a rearward portion and the movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the forward portion of the deployable support structure.
17. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 16, wherein the rearward portion of the deployable support structure comprises a storage compartment having lid having an open position and a closed position, wherein the movable horizontal surface and the lid form a substantially continuous horizontal surface with the movable horizontal surface when the lid is in the closed position.
18. A flexible motor vehicle work surface operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly comprising a driver side seating position, a passenger side seating position, and a center seating position disposed between the driver side seating position and the passenger side seating position,
- the center seating position comprising a lower seat and a seatback, and wherein the seatback is defined by a deployable support structure further having a first substantially vertical orientation and a second substantially horizontal orientation defining a substantially horizontal structure, the deployable support structure further comprising a first integrated guide member movable within an first arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof when the deployable support structure is in the second substantially horizontal orientation and a second integrated guide member movable within a second recess disposed on an upper surface thereof when the deployable support structure is in the second substantially horizontal orientation; and
- a movable horizontal surface operably coupled with the integrated guide member deployable support structure, the movable horizontal surface having a first stored position and a second deployed position.
19. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 18, further comprising a pair of first and second integrated guide members each movable within one of a pair of first arcuate recess and a second linear recess, respectively, disposed on an upper surface thereof when the deployable support structure is in the second substantially horizontal orientation; and
- the movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with each of the first and second integrated guide members;
- wherein each of the pair of first and second integrated guide members further comprises an integrated pivot point movable within the first arcuate recess and the second linear recess, respectively.
20. The flexible motor vehicle work surface of claim 19, wherein the movable horizontal surface pivots toward the driver side seating position when displaced from the first stored position to the deployed second position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 27, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2019
Patent Grant number: 10632933
Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (Dearborn, MI)
Inventors: JOHNATHAN ANDREW LINE (Northville, MI), Marcos Silva Kondrad (Macomb Township, MI), Kevin Wayne Preuss (Berkley, MI), Alan George Dry (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI), Amaury Diaz Serrano (Lathrup Village, MI), Daniel Ferretti (Commerce Township, MI)
Application Number: 15/661,039